Najmul Hossain Shanto steps down as Bangladesh Test captain after Sri Lanka series defeat

Najmul Hossain Shanto has stepped down as Bangladesh's Test captain following their series defeat to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh lost the second Test at SSC, Colombo by an innings and 78 runs, with Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya playing a key role by claiming a five-wicket haul in the last innings.

Despite the team’s struggles, Shanto emerged as Bangladesh’s standout performer with the bat. He batted at No. 3, and scored 300 runs across the two-match series, including two consecutive centuries in the opening Test.

"I don't want to continue [as captain] in the Test format anymore. This is not personal. I have taken the decision for the betterment of the team. I think this will help the team. I have been a part of the dressing room for the past few years. I think three captains [for the three international formats] is not sensible. I don't know what the board will feel about this, and I will support their decision. But this is my personal decision. I think three separate captains will be difficult for the team to deal with,” Shanto said at the press conference as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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Shanto revealed that he had informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) cricket operations department of his decision to step down a few days earlier. His resignation comes shortly after he was also replaced as Bangladesh’s ODI captain by Mehidy Hasan Miraz earlier this month.

"I would want that no one feels this decision is emotional, or that I am disappointed by something. I want to make this clear. This is for the betterment of the team,” Shanto added.

Shanto took over as Bangladesh’s Test captain ahead of the home series against New Zealand in November 2023 and went on to lead the side in 14 Tests. Under his leadership, Bangladesh registered four victories, including two away wins in Pakistan in August 2024, but also suffered nine defeats. The first Test against Sri Lanka in the recent series ended in a draw.

Shanto maintained solid batting form during his captaincy stint, averaging 36.24 as compared to 29.83 before he took on the leadership role. In the four Tests that Bangladesh won under his captaincy, he averaged 37.16.